Abstract

There are more than 10,000 species of birds found worldwide, with more than 900 species found in the tropical country Cameroon- at the heart of Africa found between west and central Africa, in various biomes and ecosystems. Birds are appreciated for their aesthetic appearances and are also a source of inspiration to many- be it their soothing sounds of nature, to an artist’s painting brush or as a pet. All those are notable, but birds do play a higher role than those, being an intricate component of ecosystems, which we need for our survival (European Commission. 2004). They play vital roles to our precious ecosystems as seed pollinators, aiding in plant distribution, they are used as indicators of agricultural environments (European Commission. 2004). Sadly, it can be noticed that bird numbers in Cameroon are deteriorating due to one of their largest enemy after man himself- plastic. It isn’t unusual to observe a bird entangled in plastic or smothered by it around rubbish dumps, where they gain their daily nutrition. These entanglements prove to be extremely lethal to avian species, acting as a barrier to their survival and killing them through starvation.

This study aimed at assessing the effects of plastic on birds in Buea, Cameroon, based on both statistics from the field and community perspective, estimate the rate at which birds are affected by it and identify the causes of pollution with the aim of proposing mitigation techniques to reduce this environmental problem for the aim of biodiversity and conservation. Data collected for this study was both qualitative and quantitative. Methods used to collect data were through questionnaires, on field observation and research. Results showed that plastic pollution does indeed affect birds, and negatively- 8 birds were found to be entangled in plastic, majority of which included acrylic plastic (plastic/ synthetic hair). This event happens at a significant rate, considering the findings of 8 birds during the space of the study. Several propositions to minimise plastic pollution were obtained, including improving the efficiency and management of waste collection and disposal at waste dump sites, levying taxes on the sales and distribution of plastic and sensitization of the population of the effects of plastic pollution on the environment and birds in particular. Conclusively, plastic pollution is an effective threat to the livelihood and lives of birds, which need to be protected. This thesis will expatiate on that.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the study

One might ask why we need to look after our birds after all. The answers are numerous, and worthy enough to cause a change in perspective and lifestyle more than that which stems from a moral and aesthetic motive to maintain biodiversity, as will be brought out by this study.

Many people derive great pleasure, fulfilment and inspiration from watching birds and listening to them, but birds are also an intricate component of ecosystems, which we need for our own survival (European Commission, 2009). Such ecosystems consist of forests, domestic and the marine environment which provide us with food, medicines, important raw materials as well as keeping the climate stable and converting pollutants into nutrients. Birds thus perform several invaluable contributions from creating soil through their droppings to acting as indicators of the general state of biodiversity. Their ecological functions encompass key roles in decomposition, seed dispersal, predation and pollination.

Focusing on the vitality of ecological roles performed by birds, eagles and hawks for example, play major roles in the decomposition of carcasses through scavenging. This aids in waste disposal by removal of carcasses, nutrient recycling and sanitation as well as preventing the outbreak of diseases in many areas of the world-including our homeland Cameroon.

Seed dispersal is the movement, spread or transport of seeds and seed-based fruits away from the parent plant. Birds achieve this function by transporting such material in their claws or beaks and dropping off some seeds or the entire fruit along the way. This allows for improved germination, increased economical yield, increased gene flow and the re-colonisation and restoration of disturbed ecosystems, as mentioned by (Cagan, 2006).

Predation of birds on invertebrates such as locust- a plant-eating insect, will reduce plant damage and aid in controlling insect population as well as serving as an alternative to insecticides. A loss of this biological pest control function may result in pest outbreaks, crop losses and trophic cascades (Cagan, 2006). Predation of birds on vertebrates such as rodents aid in regulating the rodent population and preventing rodent pest outbreaks and trophic cascades.

Birds aiding in pollination causes an increase in crop yield and reduction in crop extinction.

Despite these among other valuable functions provided by birds, their numbers keep dropping globally to the extent of stimulating significant environmental concerns concerning the topic of biodiversity loss. Cameroon, environ of this study, is of course is no exception to this problem. Cameroon comprises of several bird species are near endemic and endemic, with examples of endemic species being the Bannerman’s Turaco, Bamenda Apalis, Mount Cameroon Speirops, Banded Wattle-eye, Mount Kupé Bush-Shrike and the Bates’s Weaver.

 

One of the most obvious observed reasons for the dwindling of the avian population in relation to plastics is the method in which waste is being disposed by humans. Often, waste disposal fails to meet regulatory standards put in place by the government through policies. For example, waste bins are to be covered at all times for safety reasons, and recycle bins are to be made available as well for the deposition of sorely plastic waste for easy recycling. Covering of rubbish bins would prevent birds from consuming food that may be mixed with harmful plastic and would thus reduce their mortality rates. Also, separating bins from those of other domestic waste would reduce confusion of birds who often mistake plastic waste for food. Thus improper waste disposal is a major reason for the dwindling avian population, as can be observed generally in Africa, Cameroon and Buea without exception. It isn’t uncommon to find rubbish including organic waste mixed with food strewn by the road and exposed.

With the needs and challenges of birds in our environment having being exemplified, we are faced with the outlook to solve the problems i.e.- the most feasible method being locating the problem from its source. This study will focus on plastics-one of the greatest threats to the avian community.

1.2 Problem statement

The continuously dwindling avian population globally including Buea is of major environmental concern. This brings the focus to the reasons- which according to the literature includes improper disposal of plastic. Primarily however, upon inspection of this increasing problem, one might want to analyse the reasons for it, thereby begging the following questions. Is the dwindling avian population a problem noticeable to all? If not, could it be because people are not knowledgeable of the importance of birds and bird preservation?

A few ecological roles of birds have been previously mentioned- such as their roles in decomposition, seed dispersal, predation and pollination. However, their uses and roles in technological advancement, promotion of tourism, pertinence in cultural and religious rituals and manifestations as well as in education and research are not to be overlooked. In reference to birds’ roles in technological advancement, it can be stated that birds were the primary inspiration of aerial machines. For example, air brakes, widely used in planes, were inspired from the feathers in the front edge of birds’ wings known as the alula; as well as flight sensor inventions. The study of birds has also contributed its fair share to biology- pertaining to the theoretical and practical aspects of it. Charles Darwin’s studies of the Galapagos finches and other birds during the voyage of HMS Beagle were important in his formulation of the idea of the origin of species through natural selection (Austin et al., 2020). The collections of bird fossils in museums serve as use for vital studies of speciation, geographic variation and zoogeography. As stated by Austin et al, the study of animal behavior (ethology) has been based to a large extent on studies of birds by Konrad Lorenz.

Unfortunately, the world experiences a continuous drop in the species of birds and in their numbers and a massive reduction in avian biodiversity due amongst others, to improperly disposed plastic waste. Currently, 21.5% of bird species are considered extinction prone, a category that includes species that are extinct (1.4%), threatened (12.1%) or near threatened (8.0%) with extinction (Cagan, 2006).Since 1680 approximately 80 species of birds have become extinct, and a larger number are seriously endangered (Cagan, 2006)- Cameroon being no exception to this issue. In reference to the afore mentioned information to studies, it can be said that the avian population has a direct relationship with plastic waste, with the avian population reducing with an increase in plastic waste.

In any area of the Buea municipality on a leisure walk, it isn’t uncommon to find birds of different kinds beside waste dumps entangled in pieces of plastic- especially, plastic hair from hair salons and trying desperately to free themselves from it. On a closer look, it’s also not uncommon to find dead birds in waste bins, trapped in plastic and shouldered by the weight of the waste-those being birds that constitute he raison- d’être of this project.

This study is therefore crucial in throwing more light on the effects of plastics on birds in the Buea municipality, the intensity of the effects and to determine causes responsible for them so as to propose mitigation strategies.

1.3 Research questions

Based on the afore-mentioned problems, the research questions for this study are as follows:

1. Does plastic pollution pose any significant threat to the avian community in Buea, and if so, how does it affect the birds?
2. At what rate do birds in Buea come into contact with plastic?
3. What measures can be put in place to aid in reducing any negative impacts induced by plastic on birds and importantly, aiding in the conservation of the Mount Cameroon Francolin?

1.4 Research objectives

The main aim of this study is to assess the effects of plastic pollution in domestic environments on the avian community in Buea. Its specific objectives are:

1. Assess the effects of plastic on birds
2. Estimate the rate at which birds are affected by plastic
3. Identify causes of pollution and propose measures to reduce any effects of plastic on birds in Buea with the aid of information and opinions collected from the general public